Liquid containing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A liquid containing apparatus includes a first vessel for containing a main body of liquid and a second vessel, which is in fluid communication with, and located below, the first vessel. The second vessel has means for draining liquid therefrom and a vessel wall allowing the liquid within the vessel to be viewed. The liquid containing apparatus may be, for example, a support system for a mechanical seal in which a vessel contains a reservoir of a liquid, such as water, for providing a barrier or cooling fluid to the seal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to apparatus which, in use, includes a vessel containing a body of liquid essential for the proper functioning of the apparatus. By way of examples, the apparatus may be a pump including a bearing chamber which contains a significant quantity of oil or it may be a support system for a mechanical seal, in which a vessel contains a reservoir of a liquid, such as water, for providing barrier or cooling fluid to the seal.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Oil contained within the bearing chamber of a pump is subjected, typically, to considerable deterioration factors. As a result, debris may accumulate within the liquid and this, in turn, will lead to degradation of performance of the system. Furthermore, the oil may become contaminated, for instance, with water which again leads to degradation of performance.

Similar consideration is supplied to a reservoir vessel for forming part of a support system for a mechanical seal.

In both cases, it would be of value to have effective means of ensuring that the integrity of the liquid is both monitored and maintained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus which includes a first vessel for containing a main body of liquid and a second vessel, in fluid communication with, and located below, the first vessel; the second vessel having means for draining liquid therefrom and for allowing the liquid within the vessel to be viewed.

The first vessel may be, for instance, a bearing chamber of a pump or a reservoir vessel for a liquid support system for a mechanical seal.

Preferably, the second vessel includes a top plate, a bottom plate and, extending therebetween, a cylindrical wall.

Preferably, the cylindrical wall is, at least partially, transparent or translucent.

Preferably, the ends of the cylindrical wall are each located in a groove provided in a respective one of the top plate and the bottom plate.

Preferably, a sealing washer, such as an O-ring, is provided between each of the cylindrical wall and the respective one of the top plate and the bottom plate.

Preferably, the top plate and the bottom plate are interconnected by a plurality of elongate fastening means, such as bolts, arranged around the outside of the cylindrical wall.

Preferably, a helical coil, for example, a coil spring, extends around the bolts to provide protection to the cylindrical wall.

Preferably, a magnet is provided at the base of the cylindrical wall in order to attract magnetically attractable particles of debris downwardly into, and within, the second vessel.

Preferably, the apparatus includes means for isolating the second vessel from the first vessel so that they are no longer in fluid communication.

Preferably, the isolating means includes a ball valve.

The present invention also provides a device, for use with the apparatus, which includes a first vessel for containing a main body of liquid, said device comprising a second vessel having means for providing fluid communication with the first vessel and for locating the second vessel below the first vessel; the second vessel having means for draining liquid therefrom, and a vessel wall allowing the liquid within the vessel to be viewed.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when considered in combination with the accompanying drawing figures which illustrate certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should, however, be noted that the accompanying drawing figures are intended to illustrate only certain embodiments of the claimed invention and are not to intended as a means for defining the limits and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In the drawing, wherein similar reference numerals and symbols denote similar features throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a pump an according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of a debris collection vessel of the pump of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical view of a mechanical seal support system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 shows a pump 10 that includes a bearing chamber 12 and, connected thereto and located therebeneath, a vessel 20, which is for use in collecting debris from the oil in the bearing chamber and also for viewing the liquid within the vessel 20.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings, the vessel 20 depicted in FIG. 1, includes a circular cylindrical glass wall 21 located between a bottom plate 24 and a top plate 25; both made of stainless steel. The top and bottom ends of cylindrical wall 21 locate in grooves 51 and 53 in top and bottom plates 25 and 24, respectively. Located between the ends of the cylindrical wall 21 and the blind ends of grooves 51 and 53 are O-rings 22 and 23, which provides sealing between the components.

Bottom plate 24 is provided with a central frusto-conical hole 55, to which may be attached a drain device (not shown), which may be moved between a position in which hole 55 is closed and a further position in which fluid may drain from the vessel.

Extending between plate 24 and top plate 25 is a series of bolts 26; there being four such bolts circumferentially spaced around the wall 21. Surrounding bolts 26 is a helical spring 28, which provides additional protection to the glass wall 21.

Top plate 25 is provided with a central bore 57, through which liquid may enter vessel 20. Extending upwardly from top plate 25 is a short cylindrical member 59 which has a central bore 61 aligned with bore 57 of plate 25. Member 59 is provided with a ball valve 30, which may be operated to open and close bore 61. At its top end, member 59 is provided with means for connecting the member to the bottom of bearing chamber 12, so that, subject to the position of ball valve 30, the interior of bearing chamber 12 is in fluid contact with the interior of vessel 20.

Situated at the bottom of vessel 20, within glass wall 21, is a ring-shaped magnet 27. This magnet may be secured in position on plate 24 by means of, for example, a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, it may be positioned as shown in FIG. 2, simply by means of magnetic attraction between the magnet 27 and the bottom plate 24. The center of magnetic ring 27 is aligned with bore 55 of bottom plate 24. During operation of the apparatus, which includes bearing chamber 12, any debris formed within the bearing oil will tend to find its way, by gravity assisted by magnetic attraction where appropriate, into vessel 20. Vessel 20 may be periodically emptied to remove the debris. In addition, any water collecting in the bearing chamber will, being more dense than oil, also tend to collect within vessel 20 and can be periodically removed.

The ball valve 30 may be used to close off the bearing chamber from vessel 20. The vessel may then be removed from the member 59 for emptying and/or replacement by an empty vessel 20.

The glass wall 21 may be transparent or translucent, but should allow the liquid in the vessel to be seen sufficiently to enable monitoring of its condition.

Referring to the FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings, support apparatus for a mechanical seal 41 includes a container 40 holding a body of a liquid, such as water, which is used a barrier fluid, or cooling liquid for the mechanical seal 41.

Attached to the bottom of container 40 is a vessel 20, similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 2. The vessel 20 may be used for essentially the same purposes, that is to say, monitoring the condition of liquid and collecting debris from the vessel. 

1. A liquid containing apparatus, comprising: a first vessel for containing a main body of liquid; and, a second vessel, in fluid communication with, and located below, said first vessel, said second including means for draining liquid therefrom and a vessel wall allowing the liquid within said second vessel to be viewed.
 2. The liquid containing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first vessel is a bearing chamber.
 3. The liquid containing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first vessel is a reservoir for a liquid support system for a mechanical seal.
 4. The liquid containing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second vessel includes a top plate, a bottom plate and, extending therebetween, a cylindrical wall.
 5. The liquid containing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said cylindrical wall is at least partially transparent or translucent.
 6. The liquid containing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said cylindrical wall has ends, each end being located in a groove provided in respect of one of said top plate and said bottom plate.
 7. The liquid containing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a sealing washer provided between each end of said cylindrical wall and the respective one of said top plate and said bottom plate.
 8. The liquid containing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said top plate and said bottom plate are interconnected via a plurality of elongate fastening means arranged the outside of the cylindrical wall.
 9. The liquid containing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a helical coil for providing protection to said cylindrical wall.
 10. The liquid containing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a magnet at a base of the cylindrical wall.
 11. The liquid containing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising isolation means between said second vessel and said first vessel.
 12. A device for in combination with a liquid containing apparatus including a first vessel for containing a main body of liquid, said device comprising: a second vessel, in fluid communication with, and located below, said first vessel, said second vessel having means for draining liquid therefrom and a vessel wall allowing the liquid within said second vessel to be viewed.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said second vessel includes a top plate, a bottom plate and, extending therebetween, a cylindrical wall.
 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said cylindrical wall is at least partially transparent or translucent.
 15. The device according to claim 13, wherein said cylindrical wall has ends, each end being located in a groove provided in respect of one of said top plate and said bottom plate.
 16. The device according to claim 15, further comprising a sealing washer provided between each end of said cylindrical wall and the respective one of said top plate and said bottom plate.
 17. The device according to claim 13, wherein said top plate and said bottom plate are interconnected via a plurality of elongate fastening means arranged the outside of the cylindrical wall.
 18. The device according to claim 17, further comprising a helical coil for providing protection to said cylindrical wall.
 19. The device according to claim 13, further comprising a magnet at a base of the cylindrical wall.
 20. The device according to claim 12, further comprising isolation means between said second vessel and said first vessel. 